Ireland

2024: My Year in Travel Review

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

I was talking to a friend the other day and said it was hard to believe that I went to Ireland at the beginning of this year. It feels like it was 10 years ago! After our chat, I was inspired to take a look back at my year in travel and thought I’d share it here with you!

MarchIreland

I kicked off the year with a trip to Ireland with my friend Claudia. We tossed around several ideas for this late winter/early spring trip, initially thinking about a beachy escape, but found cheap flights to Ireland and pulled the trigger, despite it being the off-season! The trip was a blast! Yes, it was chilly and a bit damp, but we really only had one day of serious rain. We slept in castles, we drank a lot of Jameson, and had a blast!

MarchLas Vegas

Later that month, I did a long weekend escape with my friend Danielle to see the Dita Von Teese show that was running in Vegas. The show was fantastic, I gambled (and lost) a whopping $20, got a $10 tattoo, and ate so much delicious food!

2024 By The Numbers
Flights Taken: 28
Countries Visited: 4 (Ireland, Kenya, Tanzania, and Qatar, all new to me!)
States Visited: 6 (North Carolina, Nevada, and New York, all states I’ve been to before. Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama, all new-to-me states.)

AprilArkansas

In April I visited two new-to-me states, starting with Arkansas! My business bestie, Kate, and her family rented a huge AirBNB for the eclipse and when they invited me, I couldn’t say no! It was a fun getaway where I saw absolutely nothing of Arkansas other than while we were driving!

AprilMemphis

For the Arkansas trip, I flew into and out of Memphis, so I had to spend some time in another new-to-me state, Tennessee! My solo weekend in Memphis was filled with good food, Graceland, and a whole lot of history! While it was never a destination I knew I needed to visit, I’m so glad I did!

I also visited North Carolina in April for a family wedding. It was a quick family-filled weekend where I took basically no photos!

MayBirmingham

In May, I went on a little workcation to Alabama to visit Kate and see Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume at the Birmingham Museum of Art. It was a quick trip and we did some photos for her business and some future planning for our businesses.

July was my biggest travel month for the year with a solo trip lasting 15 days where I visited: Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), and ended with a stopover in Qatar. I also had a very cool layover and stayed at the historic TWA Hotel in NY. I will never stop talking about my safari trip and time spent at Giraffe Manor!

AugustSinger Island, Florida

In August, I collaborated with Matador Travel down in South Florida and spent a few solo days on Singer Island. It’s so funny to me how I’ve lived in Florida for almost 20 years and there are still so many parts of the state I haven’t seen! Singer Island was a great little beach getaway that I will happily revisit in the future!

October – Italy (except not)

In October I was supposed to spend a week solo traveling in Italy. Instead, I spent a week in bed with a nasty case of Covid. Let this be a reminder that travel insurance is your friend!

DecemberSt. Augustine, Florida

Winter in Florida means fantastic weather, but the fact that it’s so warm can mean it can be challenging to get into the holiday spirit! I headed to St. Augustine, Florida for a quick solo holiday-themed getaway, and visiting the city’s Christmas Market and seeing the historic downtown lit up for the holidays was just the dose of holiday cheer that I needed!

I was blessed by a (mostly) wonderful year of travel in 2024 (I’m looking at you, October) and I’m looking forward to all the fun that 2025 has to offer! I’ve got four trips on the horizon and I can’t wait to share the adventures with you!

If you like it, put a pin on it!

Lori Barbely

Hi, I’m Lori. But you can call me Lors. I’m a middle-aged New Jersey-born gal, currently based in Orlando, Florida. My background is in editorial travel photography and writing and I've been to more than 30 countries. I’m obsessed with tropical locales and my favorite city is Tokyo. Have camera, will travel! I’m a Disney adult, Lord of the Rings fan, certified crazy cat lady, and sushi addict! I hope this blog inspires your wanderlust. Feel free to follow me on Instagram for snippets of daily life on and off the road.

Recent Posts

Experience a Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Unique Safari Adventure

Imagine floating high above the Serengeti in a hot air balloon, taking in the stunning…

24 hours ago

Safari Books and Movies to Enjoy Before Your Trip

Planning an African safari? Dive into the adventure early by exploring some of the best…

4 days ago

What I Would Do Different on Safari

I had an absolutely incredible time on safari in Tanzania, but that doesn't mean there…

5 days ago

Tanzania Safari | The Ultimate Guide to a Serengeti Safari in Tanzania

Planning a Tanzania Safari can be an overwhelming proposition! It's an expensive trip and if…

6 days ago

Acacia Central Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania

With its luxurious safari "tents", complete with private bathrooms, Acacia Central Camp is truly a…

1 week ago

Christmas in St. Augustine, Florida

Christmas in Florida is tough for me because the warm weather makes it hard for…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.